Turkish Airlines Plane Catches Fire During Landing at Kathmandu Airport: All Passengers Safe

A Turkish Airlines flight experienced a fire incident while landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Fortunately, all 277 passengers and 11 crew members were safely evacuated. The fire occurred due to an issue with the rear wheel during landing, prompting a temporary suspension of airport operations. Fire crews quickly responded to the scene, and normal operations resumed shortly after. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the fire. This incident highlights the importance of safety measures in aviation.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 11, 2026, 12:09 IST

Incident at Tribhuvan International Airport

Kathmandu: A fire broke out on a Turkish Airlines flight while it was landing at Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Monday morning, leading to a temporary halt in flight operations for about two hours, as reported by airport officials.

The aircraft was carrying 277 passengers along with 11 crew members, all of whom were reported safe.

The incident took place at 6:36 AM when flight TK 726, arriving from Istanbul, experienced a fire in its rear wheel upon landing.

In response to the emergency, airport operations were immediately suspended, and fire crews were dispatched to manage the situation.

All individuals on board were successfully evacuated without any injuries, according to officials.

Normal flight services resumed around 8:30 AM.

As noted by The Himalayan Times, the aircraft was also transporting human remains and cargo, and it came to a stop on the main runway, causing disruptions to international flights.

Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

Turkish Airlines operates five flights weekly from Istanbul to Nepal.

Tribhuvan International Airport serves as a hub connecting Nepal to over 40 destinations across 17 countries.